The Ghosts got the game underway on a cold evening at Dereham Town, With a spot in the senior cup final at carrow road in sight.

It was the Ghosts who made the brighter start, winning a free kick in a dangerous position inside the opening two minutes, but the Dereham goalkeeper was able to deal with it comfortably. The early pressure continued when the Ghosts forced a corner on 10 minutes, showing real attacking intent but no real chance falling for us.

A huge opportunity came on 17 minutes. Pearso launched a long throw forward that found Tana through on goal, but the hosts’ number one produced an excellent save to keep it level. Another corner followed on 20 minutes as the Ghosts continued to apply pressure.

Despite the positive start, frustration began to build and a sea of yellow cards hit the ghosts first with Bonner who was shown a yellow card on 29 minutes, followed by Rasberry on 34, and then Sturman on 42, as the referee’s decisions went against the visitors. Moments before the break, the Ghosts were left stunned when a clear handball by a Dereham midfielder was not given and waved away.

The major turning point came in first-half stoppage time when Bonner was shown a second yellow card and sent off, reducing the Ghosts to ten men. It remained goalless at the break, but the Ghosts now faced an uphill battle.

Dereham restarted the second half, while the Ghosts reshuffled with Keeley replacing Valter. Despite being down to ten men, the Ghosts showed tremendous determination at the back reducing the hosts to minimal chances. Watts was the next Ghosts player into the book on 62 minutes as tension continued to rise.

The hosts began to grow into the game and won a dangerous free kick on 68 minutes which was hit into the wall. As the game entered the final stages, Pearso was forced into a superb save to keep the scores level, with Dereham now firmly on top.

The Ghosts made another change, with Flack replacing Jamba, but confusion followed as Flack was shown a yellow card almost immediately after entering the pitch.

With just four minutes remaining, the hosts finally broke the deadlock. Dereham made their numerical advantage count and took the lead on 86 minutes through a long range effort which beat the off balance Pearson.

The Ghosts were handed one final opportunity deep into stoppage time with a free kick, but it wasn’t to be as the Dereham Number 1 claims it. Dereham saw out the remaining moments and progressed, leaving the Ghosts frustrated after a battling performance with ten men and The Norfolk Senior Cup run coming to an end as Dereham progress into the final.

Full Time: Dereham Town 1–0 Fakenham Town

– D. Cracknell